Slow and Steady

Everything I do, I try to do it quickly. Sometimes, I don’t even take time to think about what I’m doing —I’m too focused on just getting it done. Every task takes longer than I think it should. I’m not a good judge of time, and I frequently try to cram too much into the time I have. Consequently, I’m often late, resulting in a constant state of guilt and pressure.

During the summer and fall months, I enjoy bike rides with a great neighbor and friend, Michelle Bonner, who is several years younger than I, and in perfect shape. I’m sure I have to work twice as hard as she does just to keep up. On rare occasions when I’m in the lead, we end up in crazy places. Last year I accidentally lead us onto a golf course. Michelle reluctantly followed, hollering, “I think we‘re on a golf course.”

I looked around and thought, maybe she’s right, but it’s early in the morning, with no golfers in sight.

As you might guess, I have never golfed or been on a golf course—all I saw was acres of beauty with a paved trail. I was impressed and wanted to see more! Besides golfing seems like such a laid-back activity, and I mistakenly thought, no golfer would be out this early, and kept peddling forward as fast as I could.

It was the perfect bike ride until we were stopped and escorted out by “Security” in a golf cart.  Boy, did I feel foolish, and really appreciated my true friend sticking by me throughout this comical adventure.

Often when we’re peddling our hearts out, going up hills, Michelle says, “Slow and steady wins the race.” I guess I looked surprised the first time she said it because, she quickly referenced her comment to the Tortoise and the Hare story. My first thought was, if I’m one and she’s the other, I must be slow because I know she’s steady. She actually takes time to read signs and stays oriented to where we are. I’m too busy peddling as fast and hard as I can. I would literally be lost without her, only to be found in those “no trespassing” zones.

Often I feel like the mouse in a maze, frantically darting about, trying to get to the chunk of cheese. Rushing to and fro only to hit a wall, spin around and try a different path. Hoping, eventually, I’ll find the way. The words, “slow and steady wins the race” come to mind. I don’t want to be slow—but I do want to be steady. I’m learning in order to be steady, I need to slow down enough to plan and think about what I’m doing so I can win the race. It’s important to use my brain and not just my feet to steer my direction.

My motto for 2014 is “Slow and steady wins the race.”